love those double pots.

10 years ago

My africain violets grow great in the pots that have an outer glazed pot, and then an inner pot that is removable, and is only glazed on the top. You put water in the outer pot and the inner pot sits in it. It is the way to go. anybody can grow african violets this way. my favorite variety is "vampires kiss". a deep violet that looks like an artery.

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irina_co

10 years ago

Let's agree to disagee. The fact that they developed goose necks - is not because they loved it so much. It is because you didn't repot them every half year with cutting the bottom of the rootball down so you can bury the neck and let it grow new roots.

The good approach is - you did so right when you grew your plants on wicks to the decent size and only then repotted them They developed good size root system and a substantial crown - so they could absorb all the water that comes in a top pot from the reservoir in a bottom.

It is a good way to get around the issue of too much water - a big plant thrives where a small plant drowns.

Investing in them...6 pots for $20...you can build a light stand with this kind of money and have 40 plants on wicks blooming their heads off.

Irina, the sworn enemy of double ceramic pots

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Comments (6)

irina_co
10 years ago
Mat -

It is wonderful that they work for you. You figured exactly how to do it.

Let's agree to disagree - they do not work for me for certain reasons and they do not always work for everybody. The beauty is that African Violets are pretty flexible and can be grown well using more than one method. Each grower has his own secret of success.

You go to the African Violet Convention - where the best growers of the country show their unbelievably beautiful plants with hundreds of blossoms - and not a single one grows AVs in double ceramic pots. For a reason.

"Vampire's Kiss" is a gorgeous older variety. You have a treasure.

I am not sure about the arteries, I am not a vampire ;-))

Merry Christmas - and Happy New Year with many blooming violets in all kind of pots.

Irina
tabb
10 years ago
I'm another fan of the ceramic self watering double pots for several years. My plants in them are the healthiest & bloom a lot. Because they average $10 to $20 I have 6 that I've moved my biggest plants into when they outgrow a 3" homemade water wick system. I do change the soil once a year which may help my success with them. A couple of mine grew so well that they goose necked over the edge after 2 years & had to be cut back they loved it in those pots so much. Hope this helps someone thinking about investing in them.
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User
10 years ago
I have been using the ceramic double pots for years for my standards, and I have had very good success. I know not many growers like them, but I do. My Optimaras, particularly seem to do well in them. It is all about what works best for your own conditions!
irina_co
10 years ago
You are so right! You develop your own know-how - and stick to it. If it ain't broke...

But I wouldn't recommend these pots to a newbie without giving some hints...They killed more AVs than all bugs together. It is more there than - plant your AV in a top, and fill the bottom with water...

Still - heavy, bulky and expensive...
Rosie1949
10 years ago
I agree that one thing works for some and not for others. It is a matter of personal choice.

As Irina said, "if it ain't broke,,,,,,,".

I am glad to hear that you have "mastered" that pot. I have not. And I really haven't tried that hard. I am too invested in my personal wick system that I have success with.

Others don't like wick systems and use a heavier mix and just water more frequently. If they have mastered that,,,,great! I don't want to have to water and when I am finished, turn around and start again. At least in winter.

There are so many ways to grow these beauties! I love that I can read all of the different methods to see what works for others.

As long as someone is happy with what they are doing then by all means do it to the best of your ability! Happy 2016 growing!!!!!! Rosie